ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 218, 11 June 1929, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS

"TIIE JAZZ SINGER.* For their second “talkie” picture, the Regent Theatre management have sueceoded lu securing lhe Jazz blnger, which will open tO'daj. I te!U the dazzling life story ,ot Al JoisoD, Broacl way's idolised >,is of one who through love of fame, left nis home and was brought back by a great love The picture is based on the play by Samson Raphaelson, as 8t T a Sed by niwi r«».zinn nnd Sam H. Harris, inc Ghetto a city within a eity-greybeard worshinners gav children, devout women, Sliarp.tongued g gossipers, a pushing, yelling, Seething civilisation living in New York Such is the picture presented at the r start Here, for generations, the men of the Rabinowitz faintly have been the cantors of the Orchard Street Synagogue. Jakie has no wish to follow his father. He wants to sing in a great ‘heatre. Jnkie tuns away rather than be compelled to isinc in tho Synagogue, and for the next ten S years makes Ills rounds of vaudeville. Sponsored by a charming little dancer. Jakie I,OK a quick rise to fame. His mother receives from him a letter telling of his success and little dancer, Mary Dale. Jakie goes next to New ”'ork and is scarcely recognised by his mother, so handsome and big has he crown He coca to the piano and Bings one Sf his songs and is forbidden the house by his stern and relentless father. He joins y Mary at the theatre in a co-star act Inkle feels that he must make good. The last rehearsal takes place on the night before Yom KiPPbr and Jakie , t ® cel o L e ,? news that the cantor is very sick and cannot sing on that Jewish religious occasion. Never has there been a Yom Kippur without a Rabinowitz to sing and he is asked to fill the gap. In the sickroom with his father the young man Is torn between the older man s pleas for him to be at the synagogue and loyalty‘to Ills theatrical friends. He makes a decision and a theatre full of first-nighters is angered by the postponement of .he Performance, but twelve triumphs when lie sln S s , I d Walk aMI Hon Miles for One of Your Smiles, My Mammy ” and Mary and his mother, who listen, know the sincerity and depth of feeling of the singer. But the Regent Theatre management has not stopped at that masterpiece. It has a supporting programme that is a vast entertainment in itself. First there is Rob Spikes and his follies’ entertainers, who will give jazzy orchestral numberß and provide dance music of the latest hits. Some of their selections will be Clarinet Marmalade,” “Lonesome and borry, “Blites,” “Red Lips.” They will appear in the pictures exactly as they are inNew York in real life. Next will be Daphne Polldrd, the English, comedienne, in W anted a Man” and “Cleo to Cleopatra.; . bhe sings two original songs, Nancy anil “Cleopatra.” Daphne Pollard is numbered among the ten leading comediennes of all time. She was once the leading comedienne of the Zieglield Follies. Lois Wilson and Edward Everett Horton appear in a one-act talkie play, “Miss Information. By Universal consent Lois \yilson is one of the most beautiful women on the screen, and her acting and speaking are charming. But this is not all, for Alan Prior, famops Australian tenor and star of “The Student Prince,” sings “A Dream” (Bartlett) and “La Donna e Mobile.” DE LUXE THEATRE. “The Ringer,” a British screen version of the Edgar Wallace thriller, is the current feature at the De Luxe Theatre. The story .concerns “The Ringer, an amateur hunter of - -criminals, who has broken the law in his pursuit of other law-breakers. He is wanted by the police, but baffles all their efforts to find litm. Conflicting reports come as to his fate, one that he has died abroad, another that he is returning to Epgland to avenge his sister, Who has taken her life as the result of her betrayal by a solicitor friend named Meister. The solicitor is a sinister figure, in league With thieves and enveloped by suspicions which cannot be proved. Every step is taken to trace “The Ringer,” but he remains elusive. The finale comes after episodes of everrising suspense in a sensational manner when, in the vefy presence ot the police “The Ringer” stands revealed. Leslie Faber, Annette Benson, Nigel Barrie, and Mutiel Angelus have the featured roles. In support are a gazette, Pathe Review, and two character study films. The usual excellent music is also supplied. “THE COHENS AND KELLYS.” Commencing on'Friday at the De Luxe Theatre with a matinee on Saturday at 2.30 will be screened for one week the comedy. “The ColienS and Kellys,” star, ring George Sidney. Vera Gordon and Charlie Murray. The story is about an Irishman and a Jew, and all the humour and side-splitting laughter of a hundred thoifsand Cohens and several thousand Kellys has been captured in this Btory of two famous families, it is said. It is far more humorous than the "Cohens and Kellys In Paris,” screened at the De Luxe Theatre some time ago, and with a much stronger east of favourite artists. The story is really clever, being Aaron Hoffman’s stage play trans i ported to the screen. An Irish and Jewish family are neighbours in the East side of New York. They have never had money and beneath all their quarrels thty are the staunchest ot friends. Then without warning the Jewish family inherits a million dollars and moves to Park Avenue, where the richest live. The supporting programme is large. The box plans are now at the Bristol, Aitken's Book Arcade, or seats may be reserved by telephone to the theatre (23—080). PARAMOUNT THEATRE. : Janet Gaynor, Nancy Drexel, Charles Morton, Barry Norton, and J. Farrell McDonald are the featured players in “Four Devils,” which is now in its third week at the Paramount Theatre. The film, a drama of the circus, tells of two brothers and two sisters who are being trained by a circus proprietor; and whose lot is anything but happy. Charles and Marion fall in love with each other, but a wealthy sirfen lures Charles way and makes him a complete victim to her charms. Ho neglects his-work, and through being out of practice nearly meets with digaster in his famous “death leap,” but lie realises his folly just hi time. However, on the final night she sits in a box at. the circus, ami endeavours to catch Charles’s cyo prior to the big leap. Instead, . she catches the eye of Marion, who, thinking that she will again lose her lover, loses her nerve and falls to the grpund. A repentant Charles helps to nurse her back to health and happiness. The supports are the latest Fox Movietone news, talks by Mussolini and the American Ambassador to Italy, some . novel numbers by Winnie Lightner', the American comedienne. nnd “The First Lesson,” a humorous talking comedy. Commencing on Friday * The Hit of th* Show” and selected short subjects will be presented at the Paramount Theatre. QUEEN'S THEATRE. “Tesha,” a screen version of the charming storv by Countess Barcynska. is the current feature at the Queen’s Theatre. Tesha is a famous Russian dancer, whose childhood has been spoiled through her being robbed of all her childish joys. She hleets a wealthy Englishman, who falls in love with her, and whom she marries. Their married life is marred by the fact that thov were childless. Then conies a time when, under the influence of the moon, Tesha gives herself, to another man and returns to her husband, and the film then works up to an unexpected climax. Maria Corda is starred, supported by Jameson Thomas and Paul Cavanagh. Good supports are also. screened, and appropriate music supplied by the orchestra. The programme is for adult audiences only. KING’S THEATRE. “Saturday’s Children,” starring Corinne Griffiths, who is supported by Grant Withers, Albert Conti, Alma Tell, Charles Lane, and Lucien Littlefield,-is the current feature at the King’s Theatre. Bobby Halvey, married to a poor man, finds that married life is more bills than bliss, and love in a cottage turns to endless quarrelling. Thinking tiiat her husband will be happier without her, she goes back to her old work as a typist In a big business, where some interesting scenes of the life of the working people, their human qualities, and philosophy are seen, as well as amusing incidents of apartment house life in a city. A Gazette, comedy, and further film of the Music Masters’ series are Also screened, and appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra. "OUR MISS GIBBS.” The second presentation of that delightful musical comedy “Our Miss Gibbs” was given at the Grand Opera House last night by the Wellington Amateur Theatrical Society It was a success. Minor shortcomings inseparable from first nights had been corrected, and the show went with a swing. Again of outstanding merit was the performance ot Miss Joyce Woodward in the title role. Prominent among her best numbers last night were “Mary.” “Moon Struck,” and “Our I<arm.’ Mr. Will McKeon took advantage of all the onndrtunitles for mirth-production pro- ? d P ed by the role of Timothy Gibbs. The parts of the Hon. Hugliie, Lord E.ynesford, and Slithers were respectively played by Mr R E. Pope, Mr. R. Kemp, and Mr. Doug. Stark, and played successfully. Miss Edna Mears gave a finished impression of the French modiste, Madame Jeanne while Miss Ngalre Thompson infused brightness into the role of Mrs. Farouiiar ° Miss Pauline Shotlander was in her element as Lady Betty. Miss Hoslna Exton, as the Duchess, was good, m<l Mr W. Jamieson made an excellent manager ot Garrod's. "Our Miss Gibbs' will be repeated to-nigliU

MAJESTIC THEATRE. “The Charlatan,” a Universal screen version of the Broadway success of tile same name, with Holmes Herbert, Rockliffe Fellowes, and Margaret Livingstone in the featured roles, is the current feature at the Majestic Theatre. The story concerns the weird events following a fortune-telling party at the house of one of the society leaders of a certain American city. The Hindi! mystic becomes tragically Involved in the tangled heart affairs of several couples attending the seance, . Timstartling results make gripping drama. A pleasing interlude in the performance is the appearance of Miss Christina Ormiston, a soprano, who displays her versatility by singing three numbers of widely different character, the waltz song from “Tom Jones,” “Curly-Headed Babby,” a “Laiid of the Sky Blue Water.” A well-varied supporting programme Is also screened, and excellent music Is supplied by the orchestra, under Mr.. George Ellwood. “THREE WEEK-ENDS.” Commencing at the Majestic Theatre on Friday. Clara Bow will be seen in “Three Week-Ends,” her latest starring vehicle for Paramount. Popular Neil Hamilton Is cast opposite the little red-haired star tn what is said to be one of the best productions In which the favourfte star has yet appeared.' HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. : Frank O’Brian and his Revellers . continue their merry quips and pranks at His Majesty’s Theatre, where they are now in their last week. This week’s programme consists of the revue “Bow-wow,” a canine story with a tale. Frank O'Brian sparks at the golf club in two cylinders. One tells him to marry the girl of his heart, but the economics of the situation favour a stout widow with heavily-laden gold bags. Events: in this story do not happen consecutively, and all sorts of gay irrelevancies side-track the story. Janice Hart sings “The Don’t Wanna" and comic variations of “It Ain’t Gonna Rain No Mo.” The second half Is filled with bright vaudeville turns. “RIO RITA.” A dpulication of Florenz Zeigfield’s New York extravaganza, “Rio Rita,” which will be presented by Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday, Juno 17, is described as being ot unsurpassed magnificence and enchanting beauty. Nothing has been stinted, to make this the musical comedy success of the decade, outrlvalllng all former productions. The coherent, charming story ot the Rio Rita is a silver thread of reason running through the whimsical absurdities of the comedians,, the spectacular displays and daringly effective work of the ballet, it U stated. Australia has long been recognised as the home of many of the world's finest ballet girls, and the very cream, of these has been chosen for “Rio Rita.” The result is a chorus and ballet that can withstand all criticism and comparison, and whose work is a big feature of the show. Gladys Moncrieff, in the title role, appears as a fascinating Mexican beauty, and to her fall many of the vocal gems, irresistible song numbers which .without, doubt will become very popular in Wellington. Petite Jafiette Gilmore, who makes au outstanding personal success as Dolly, the cabaret girl, performs amazing acrobatics as she dances in eccentric and tireless style, doing a remarkably dexterous act o.u roller skates. Dave Malleu is responsible for most of the laughs, and he cuts a comical figure as Sir. Chick Bean, “the rising young bootlegger" from America. The three principals receive support from the remainder of the company, and many flue cameos of finished artistry can be found in the work ottered by these lesser principals. The box plans will be open at the Bristol to-mor-row morning, and may be expected to fill rapidly. ' JUDITH GIESEN PIANOFORTE RECITAL. A pianoforte recital will be given by Sliss Jiidith Giesen at the Concert Chamber to-morrow night. , Works by eleven well-known composers will constitute the programme. The ability of this young pianist to handle the most difficult niusic is reported to be above the average, tyid patrons are assured of an interesting and Instructive evening's entertainment. JqditU Giesen will play Tocata con Fuga (C Minor) by Bach, and Sonata in L fiat Minor, Op. 7. by Beethoven, as well as several selected works. including the Ballade in G Minor by Chopin. A bracket ' of “moderns” will include works by Polflini, PachUlski, Chasins. John Ireland. Matthav. York Bowen, and others. . The box plan is at the Bristol and concessions to students lu parties are available. KILBIRNIE KINEMA. ■ Starring popular Clara Bow. “The Fleets In” will be repeated at the Kilbirnie Kinema to-night. Clara Bow is cast as a dance hail hostess, whose duty it is tq encourage the sailors on shore leave to spend ns much of their pay as possible on dance tickets. It is during a visit of the fleet to tile port that she becomes the centre of rivalry between two sdllors. Good supports arc also screened aild appropriate music is supplied by the orchestra.